6 Awesome second leads you (almost) wish had gotten the girl

by KD Bonbon on Mon, Mar 02, 2015

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When the last episode of a romantic K-drama ends, we’re usually left with an overwhelming feeling of certainty that the two main leads, after endless drama and miscommunication, were meant to be. Through the good and the bad, their love triumphed, and you know they are the perfect couple who will be together forever! But what about that handsome and sweet second lead?

Below you’ll find 6 K-drama second leads who you ALMOST wish had gotten the girl but in the end know that it wasn’t meant to be.

From the moment Go Mi Nam (played by Park Shin Hye) stepped into the A.N.JELL house, Kang Shin Woo (Jung Yong Hwa) was there for her. Even when he discovered she was a girl, he kept her secret and did everything he could to protect her. He’s an obvious choice for Go Mi Nam, but in the end it’s Tae Kyung (Jang Geun Suk) who wins her heart. Kang Shin Woo is the typical good guy second lead who is better on paper but will never get the girl. While on one hand I feel bad for him, on the other Go Mi Nam and Tae Kyung complement each other perfectly and are meant to be together.

Choi Young Do...you put up a good fight but could never compete with Kim Tan (Lee Min Ho). Every time he hugged, fed, understood, and defended Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye) my heart melted a little. Young Do (played by the magnificent Kim Woo Bin) was such a tortured soul! Even if he wasn’t perfect for Cha Eun Sang, we wanted some happiness in his life.

Kang Woo (portrayed by the talented Seo In Guk) was such a great friend and protector of Tae Gong Sil (Gong Hyo Jin). He does so much to break her out of her shell and comfort her when she gets scared. He really loves her! But unfortunately, his comfort cannot compete with Joo Joong Won’s, and Tae Gong Sil is fated to fall for the usually cold business man. But Tae Gong Sil is still lucky to have a friend like Kang Woo.

Oh, Oh Jin Rak. You’re so stubborn in every way — from your attitude towards Enrique, to your webcomic, to your love for Go Dok Mi (played once again by Park Shin Hye). I think with a slightly different turn of events, Jin Rak and Dok Mi could have been really good for each other. Jin Rak’s bromance with Dong Hoon is also adorable...so at least they have each other! Oh Jin Rak was played by the handsome Kim Ji Hoon.

Yoon Ji Hoo (Kim Hyun Joong) is one of my favorite second leads of all time. There were so many times in Boys Over Flowers when I thought, "Give up on Gu Jun Pyo! Jan-di, Go for Ji Hoo!" But alas it just wasn’t meant to be. Even though Jun Pyo (played by the unmatched Lee Min Ho) tormented Jan-di (Gu Hye Sun) and made her life miserable at times, they had a powerful connection that could not be broken.

Like most of the supporting characters on this list, this pick will be controversial. Let me start out by saying that Do Min Joon and Cheon Song Yi are perfect for each other and belong together. However, as a second choice, Lee Hee Kyung (played by the ultra-talented Park Hae Jin) is not a bad option. He had great character, demonstrated by his refusal to lead Yoo Se Mi on, his constant protective feelings for Song Yi, and his willingness to help bring his evil brother Lee Jae Kyung down. I am 100% happy that Cheon Song Yi (Jeon Ji Hyun) ended up with Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun), though — it means I can have Hee Kyung to myself!